Cricket: Lord's set to host floodlit test

LONDON - Lord's, the home of cricketing tradition, is poised to host a day-night test match with players wearing coloured, one-day style outfits.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is pressing forward with plans to dispense with the usual all-white test attire for a floodlit match against Bangladesh next year, Britain's Sunday Telegraph reported.

The newspaper understood the subject had been discussed in depth at two recent committee meetings.

ECB head of cricket operations Alan Fordham said: "It was a subject that came up following the test match strategy day in January."

The plan, which has upset traditionalists, has come about because the red balls usually used for test matches cannot be seen against a night sky, while trials with pink and orange balls have proved unsuccessful.

If a white ball is used, the cricketers' clothing must be another colour so it can be seen easily.

Retired umpire Dickie Bird opposed the plan.

"I am one of the old school and I am all for the game being played in white. It is best to play at test match in white and during the day," Bird told the paper.

Another hurdle is that white balls can become discoloured quickly, so the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is trying to find a white ball that lasts longer.

The use of coloured clothing and white balls in a test match would need to be sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

ICC general manager Dave Richardson said: "The ECB have not approached us yet for any such approval.

"But the ICC is supporting the research by the MCC which includes whether a white ball can be developed that can last longer and be suitable for longer versions of the game.

"This matter will definitely be on the agenda of the ICC cricket committee meeting in May. Overall, the ICC remains committed to the promotion of test cricket, and if this means playing some tests under lights, we should certainly consider it."

The match, the first of two tests against Bangladesh, will be played in late May next year and it is hoped the new format will boost attendances.

- AAP